Now here's some research I can support! (re: flowers)

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » Fri May 13, 2005 10:44 am

One thing nice about being back in Texas is that even here in the Dalla-Fort Worth "Metroplex", there are fields of flowers to be seen.

The variety is amazing. I also like the details, which is why I have a whole gallery of flower parts. (I tried posting some here, but the links got funny.)

susnfx · Post by **susnfx** » Fri May 13, 2005 10:46 am

Gorgeous! For whoever was talking about African violets a while back: the thread convinced me to try again, so I bought two and put them on my kitchen table where they get north light. They're deliriously happy and on their second blooming. I've never had any do this great. I'll take a picture later today and try to post it.

Susan

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » Fri May 13, 2005 10:47 am

susnfx wrote:Can't see those.

They were there when I started, then disappeared.

Try the link, though.

MarkB · Post by **MarkB** » Fri May 13, 2005 10:49 am

My mom was fortunate and on cloud nine, when she discovered deep in overgrown bushes of the backyard of a house that she just moved into to fine one of the few orchids that grow in Ontario, Canada.

It was the Ladyslipper, only two small clumps of these ever grew in the then deep undergrowth of the backyard and she never touched that area, it always grew wild. Also it was a family secret that they grew there naturally.

MarkB

dfernandez77 · Post by **dfernandez77** » Fri May 13, 2005 2:09 pm

Flowers are very cool and Oh So Macho!

I made it out to Joshua Tree National Monument in March for a "hundred year bloom". We've had so much rain in So California this year that many rare blossoms had moisture for long enough to germinate and mature.

It was very cool!

http://www.tofutaco.com/JoshuaTree/

susnfx · Post by **susnfx** » Fri May 13, 2005 2:37 pm

Beautiful, Daniel. I especially liked the close-ups of the white flowers. And I want to find an orchid in my back yard. Wait, where is it I live again? Chances are probably slim to none.

Susan

dfernandez77 · Post by **dfernandez77** » Fri May 13, 2005 2:50 pm

Gee thanks!

You should have seen it in person. Took my breath away.

susnfx · Post by **susnfx** » Fri May 13, 2005 6:03 pm

Here are my African violets:

Susan

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Fri May 13, 2005 7:14 pm

susnfx wrote:Um, about the allergies - people are generally not actually allergic to flowers. Pollen carried by bees/insects (flowers, flowering trees, etc.) is too large to be inhaled and therefore doesn't cause the histamine to react. Most allergists (at least board certified allergists) don't even skin test for flowers because they usually are not the problem. The problems are the mini-pollens: trees, grass, weeds. You might actually be allergic to something (a tree/grass/weed) that's pollinating at the same time, so you think it's the flowers. (That said, however, they can be irritants.)

Susan

Ragweeds and goldenrods are flowers.

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Fri May 13, 2005 7:22 pm

Among my recent hobbies is wildflower photography. I took this photo last May:

susnfx · Post by **susnfx** » Fri May 13, 2005 7:45 pm

All plants "flower" or blossom. From the website of the allergy/asthma clinic I work for:

"Wind-pollinated plants are very different from insect-pollinated plants. The small, lackluster blossoms are exposed to the wind, and many trees like cottonwoods and box elders blossom early before the leaves come out to get in the way. Those things that would attract insects, such as odor, nectar, and brilliant colors, are absent. The pollen grains are small, lightweight, and dry, and include grasses, common trees, and weeds. Fruit trees and ornamental flowers, which are pollinated by insects, pose few problems for allergy sufferers since this type of pollen is too sticky and heavy to be transported very far by air."

I love wildflowers, Walden, and dug out my mom's wildflower books just last week to try and identify some I've noticed recently.

Susan

KateG · Post by **KateG** » Sat May 14, 2005 8:10 pm

Love the pictures, and let's hear it for flowers (aka weeds) in lawns. I have always loved dandelions and allowed them to grown in my lawn. My joy was compounded one morning when I looked out to see a flock of goldfinches feasting on the seeds. They were pouncing on the puffballs, riding them to the ground, devouring the seeds, and then bouncing on to the next plant. It was like a golden firework display. And it got better...the goldfinches were joined by an indigo bunting. The bluest bird I have ever seen. Sheer magic. I feel so sorry for folks whose houses are surrounded by acres of chemically induced monocultures.

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » Sun May 15, 2005 12:52 pm

KateG wrote:Love the pictures, and let's hear it for flowers (aka weeds) in lawns. I have always loved dandelions and allowed them to grown in my lawn. My joy was compounded one morning when I looked out to see a flock of goldfinches feasting on the seeds. They were pouncing on the puffballs, riding them to the ground, devouring the seeds, and then bouncing on to the next plant. It was like a golden firework display. And it got better...the goldfinches were joined by an indigo bunting. The bluest bird I have ever seen. Sheer magic. I feel so sorry for folks whose houses are surrounded by acres of chemically induced monocultures.

I agree about dandelions and such in lawns. Unfortunately, our new home is subject to the tastes of the Homeowners' Association.

Finches like bachelor button (cornflower) seeds, too.

rasp · Post by **rasp** » Sun May 15, 2005 1:38 pm

i photo anything

Cynth · Post by **Cynth** » Sun May 15, 2005 1:41 pm

How did you get that little bird to pose for you?